1) Recommending Books: Herbalism and Witchcraft Practices
I think recommending books for further research is a great thing. Everyone, especially novices need good resources to pursue paths in Paganism, however what constitutes "good" resources?
I think if you look at the material, and it seems to be trying too hard to come off as occult or even fluffy, it might not be that good a resource. I see many people recommending "Scott Cunningham" for Witchcraft related practices. It's ok to read Cunningham (I have several of his books), however I'm leery of some stereotypical occult books. If anything, people should look at "Culpeper's Herbal Reference" first. It's a well respected resource used by a great number of seasoned veterans in the Pagan area, even though I don't think it's actually Pagan in nature. Most of the information used in practice can be found online as well, though again, leery about it's accuracy.
But really...do we NEED to have a long list of what plant is good for what magical application? I would challenge people to look at a plant and determine for themselves, without looking at a book or webpage, what that plant might be good for (and that might be a good idea to maybe do a weekly or daily post to accept my own challenge here). Witches or Folk Healers of the past never had books or references to determine what plant was good for what...they went with what they had experience with and what worked for whatever application they tried it for. They relied on their intuition and "feeling" with regards to certain plants and determined for themselves what they thought this plant might be good for. A simple example could be the Rose...one look at it and what does one's intuition say about it? Good for love, friendship, hope, peace, etc. The thorns could be good for protecting ones self or their loved ones. That's just from looking at the flower, not looking it up in a book. The same could be said for the lilac. It could be used for beauty, boosting self-image and esteem, dispelling depression (because of it's intoxicatingly beautiful smell).
Again, I challenge people to go outside, find a plant, study it at length and determine for yourself what that plant could be good for WITHOUT the use of books or other reference (but I caution, if you're unsure about a plant, do NOT touch it!! Just look at it).
2) Coming Out
I may have touched on this before, but I want to come back to it. When people consider "coming out" as a Pagan to family and friends, my biggest question is...WHY? Why is it so important for your friends and family to know? And when I ask this question, I ask it to those who are grown, and out on their own. For the most part, it can create an unnecessary rift in the family, particularly because Paganism is STILL so misunderstood, and misrepresented in the media and by the religious, that it scares people. While we as adult practitioners have taken the time to clear the misunderstandings and misrepresentations for ourselves, it's EXTREMELY difficult to so easily clear it for others, especially those who don't want clarification or have had to endure decades of ingrained "propaganda" from others and from religious institutions. Consider how long it took YOU to understand that Pagan systems aren't the "devil worshipping, animal sacrificing" things they're made out to be. Why expect that your friends and family are going to understand and accept it so quickly and so easily, when it may have taken you years to feel comfortable with practice yourself. Don't be so surprised when mom and dad or your best friend coil in fear when you tell them you are a Pagan. Remember that to undo years of spoon-fed misconception, it's going to take a number of years to show them you are not a part of the Pagan system that has so inaccurately been portrayed, and that the system you ARE a part of is no more frightening than the systems they are used to (i.e. Christianity).
But back to the why question, though...since when is it completely necessary to make other people aware of what it is you believe? Christians (some of them, and I'm not trying to put anyone down here), feel it's necessary to let everyone know what it is they believe, only because their God said to "go out and spread the good news", and have misinterpreted it to say that they need to tell others that they need to follow Christianity in order to inherit the "Kingdom of God". There are perhaps just as many misconceptions about Christianity as there are about Paganism, however, Pagans get the brunt of the strike when it comes to the misconceptions because of how scary it's made out to be. I can understand people wanting to expose the TRUE nature of their Pagan beliefs and what it REALLY entails, but really...why is it so important? A person's beliefs should be sacred, and personal, not flaunted around and put on display as a conversation piece. While it's ok to wear jewellery symbolizing your faith, you don't need to tell mom and dad, or your best friend "Hey Look, I'm a Pagan". Your beliefs and personal practices are yours, and telling them really has no bearing on how you practice or what you believe...if anything telling them, and if they are resistant, can be a hindrance, making you have second thoughts as to whether or not your beliefs are right or whether you should continue. Don't let others determine what you believe.
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